Councillors approve ‘Station Gateway Master Plan’

A development framework for the area around Rochdale Railway Station has been endorsed by councillors
 
A draft of the ‘Station Gateway Master Plan’ was put before councillors at a meeting of the Cabinet on Monday night.
 
Councillors authorised the Director of Planning and Regulation to progress the implementation of the Master Plan and in particular:
 

• The provision of a 200 space car park and ancillary access improvements on land at Richard Street/Lincoln Street
• The re-opening of the sub-way at Rochdale Station
• The improvement of the station for  the Northern Hub proposals
• The development of a car park at Ann Street to be leased to NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale

A report before councillors highlighted the area around the station is as a “gateway” into the Borough.
 
However, the report states that problems in the area need to be addressed, these include poor quality building on Station Approach and Maclure Road, a lack of parking, problems of vacant and derelict sites and poor infrastructure in parts of the area causing congestion.
 
The Master Plan sets out in detail a response to those problems.
 
The plan states: “The master plan defines a practical and achievable series of projects delivering outcomes that will radically change the form and function of the Station Gateway area.
 
“To successfully achieve this, the Council needs to bring to bear all available resources. These include the judicious use of property in public ownership, council funding and expertise, the attraction and guiding of private investment and the use, where necessary, of statutory powers.
 
“It is particularly important to note that in the current economic downturn, both private and public funding streams are uncertain and the Council must have greater regard, patience and respect to the attitudes and use of resources of partner organisations and the private sector.
 
“This may result in improvements to the area progressing more slowly than anticipated.”